Ian C.T. vom Saal

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USA

December 29, 2008

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- The music on this SoundClick page is purely for people to have something to listen to (this music is from previous bands). I’m contractually prohibited from posting any music from my current band Aries Rising until the album is released, and I'm in no way promoting my former bands or their music; Please keep this in mind when listening to anything posted here.

- I have a Music Degree from Palm Beach State/Florida Atlantic University (in Guitar Performance; Classical' & 'Jazz Studies '99/'01) * Notably;  Scott Henderson also went to F.A.U.

- My focus since '2003 has been Original Music (Heavy Rock). I'm inspired by many styles: Hard-Rock, Alternative & Progressive-Rock, Alternative & Progressive-Metal, Blues-Rock, Fusion, Jazz, & even Acoustic Music - I've played an amalgamation of these styles since '2000; My goal has always been to play music that inspires me with serious, dedicated musicians that are all looking to go as far as they can musically (whatever that may be; recording, touring, etc); of coarse continually shooting for that ominously yet lucrative 'deal' most musicians covet.
 
- AMPS & GUITARS - I’ve owned a lot over the years - AMPS: Dr.Z MAZ 38 / Marshall JTM45, JCM2000 DSL / Mesa/Boogie Road King 2, Triple Rectifier, Lone Star, Mark III / Bogner Shiva, Ecstasy / Budda Superdrive-45 / Fender Super Reverb, Bassman, Hot Rod DeVille, Vibro King, Twin Reverb / Bad Cat Hot Cat / Fargen Bordeaux / Peavey Classic-50 / VOX TB35C2, AC30 / Matchless DC30 / Rivera Knucklehead, Fandango / & a couple other custom amps - GUITARS: Fender Strats & Teles ('69 Strat, '71 Tele, 90’s American Standards & Deluxe Plus versions), Charvel ProMod DK-24 HH, ’60 Les Paul Junior, a couple Gibson Les Paul Standards, a couple Gibson SG Standards, Gibson ES-175, Gibson 335, PRS Custom 24, Ibanez AS113 & AS83, ESP E-II Viper, two Schecter Tempest Customs, Taylor 814CE, several Classical guitars, and several other custom made electric guitars. Most of these Amps and Guitars are gone now (I only own a few amps and a couple handfuls of guitars).

- CURRENT RIG - Mesa/Boogie Road King II Head into a Port City OS 2X12 Wave Cabinet. I added a MIDI controller for a while via an RJM Amp Gizmo connected to a Rocktron touring MIDI controller (MIDI Raider). I was in the process of incorporating an Avid Eleven Rack as a backup for touring, but the midi just became too cumbersome so I decided to go with a Kemper Profiler Power Rack 600-watt head.  I run my rig through a Furman AR-1215 voltage regulator giving me consistent 120V at every venue (not a simple power conditioner, which is basically just a glorified power strip).

- STUDIO WORK (I’ve done session work in many studios) - Tree Sound Studios '2000 GA (www.treesoundstudios.com) - Southern Living At It's Finest '2000 GA - The Hit Factory/Criteria Recording Studios '01 FL (www.criteriastudios.com) - Record Plant Recording Studio '03-04 CA I worked here as a studio runner & session guitarist (www.recordplant.com)  - DML STUDIOS '03-04 CA - Avatar Studios '04 NY (www.avatarstudios.net) -  Morrisound Recording '05 FL (http://morrisound.com) - Eastside Sound Studios '05 NY (www.eastsidesound.com) -  Panda Productions '05 FL (which is now Creative World Recording: http://creativeworldrecording.com) - Tub's Music '06-07 FL (www.tubsmusic.com).

- Studio work can be fairly tedious, but it can also be fun, & a great way to meet, record, or play with a lot of talented musicians. I've been fortunate enough to play/record with a few fairly well known bands & people over the years (John Mayer, Joe Walsh, Ike Turner, Tori Amos, Jewel, Sarah McLachlan, Katy Perry, POD, Switchfoot, Finch, Alice Cooper . . .

- In San Diego I signed a Developmental Deal with Immortal Records in late '03. Sadly this wasn’t to last. Immortal began having financial problems due to the major drop in record sales happening around the world (this was by and large the result of the major uptick in streaming and YouTube). Immortal couldn’t catch their footing, and like many other labels ended up closing their doors a couple years later. This was the start of the end. Streaming has literally killed the music business as we knew it.

- I began doing fill in guitar work for several bands in San Diego, the last couple being Innocent Noise and Decompression.
- Late '03 began playing guitar full time with Ring after signing the Developmental Deal with Immortal Records; Sadly Ring ended in '04 with the loss of both our deal and our singer.
- Lead guitarist for the Precious in Tampa, FL 2006-07. We recorded 2 songs for the upcoming vampire movie "THE BASEMENT" (was told John Landis is helping to produce this film); Production company making the film is CHAOTIC GARDENS;
In 2006 The Precious recorded with renowned Producer/Recording Engineer Bob Langford (TUBS MUSIC STUDIO); Bob and I became good friends after this session - Bob’s worked with many bands including; Lynyrd Skynyrd, Allman Brothers Band, Deep Purple, James Brown, Joe South, 38-Special - Bob engineered & mixed "Free Bird, Sweet Home Alabama, Gimme Three-Steps" & more for Skynyrd (all the Y’s in their name was his doing); the band were so indebted that they included his photo & special thanks in the original gatefold album. Bob's really great & I'd recommend him to anyone looking to record. On Aug 22 '06 The Precious were flown to San Diego to play a show for the S.O.S. (Share Our Strength) HUNGER ORGANIZATION." I finally left the Precious in November '07 in search of a band with a bit more commitment & potential;
- I.U.I. ended abruptly late November 2010 (our drummer & singer vanished leaving myself & Juan [our bassist] to pick up the pieces). There's no ill will from me on any of these band splits, & as far as I know we're all still friends.

- ARIES RISING
*Ian C.T. vom Saal (GUITARIST/VOX/MUSIC COMPOSER): Gibson LP STDs & Tempest Customs; Mesa/Boogie ROAD KING 2 Head /Port City OS Wave Cab.
*Emory Smith (DRUMS): Yamaha Recording Custom Series drums; exclusively plays Paiste Signature Series Cymbals.
*Dave Graves (BASS): Music Man Stingray & Fender P basses through SWR & Ampeg amps/cabs.
 *Daniel Solwold Jr.(VOX ): Audix Mics; Frontman Charisma (lol).

- I moved to Tampa, FL from San Diego, CA in late 2004. Since then I've had the opportunity to play or record with many talented LOCAL artists including: Tony Starez, Damon Fowler, Christie Lenee, Julie "Angel for Blues" Black, George Harris (Greg Billing Band, Soupbone), Steve Arvey, Dean Johanesen (Human Condition), & many more . . . Again, apologies to anyone I haven't added yet

Band/artist history

- see above

Have you performed in front of an audience?

I play live as often as I can (locally, out of state, wherever).

Your musical influences

Don't worry if you don't see your favorite band listed here - I'm into a ton of music.

What equipment do you use?

- lots and lots . . . please read above under EQUIPMENT where it says and .